The selective aerobic oxidation of cinnamyl alcohol over Pt nanoparticles has been tuned via the use of mesoporous silica supports to control their dispersion and oxidation state. High area two-dimensional SBA-15, and three-dimensional, interconnected KIT-6 silica significantly enhance Pt dispersion, and thus surface PtO concentration, over that achievable via commercial low surface area silica. Selective oxidation activity scales with Pt dispersion in the order KIT-6 ≥ SBA-15 > SiO, evidencing surface PtO as the active site for cinnamyl alcohol selox to cinnamaldehyde. Kinetic mapping has quantified key reaction pathways, and the importance of high O partial pressures for cinnamaldehyde production.
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)